STAND BY YOUR MAN is one of the best Tammy Wynette albums recorded. There is not a single weak track on the album. And Wynette's voice was never in better form. Starting with the chart topping title track, Wynette weaves an emotional tapestry of tears and love like no one had ever done before and no one since. Included you will find the heart break of being a single mother (JOEY), the pain of the children involved (DONT MAKE ME GO TO SCHOOL), the comittment of faith (FOREVER YOURS) and the apologetic heart (ITS MY WAY). This easily could have become a greatest hits package if more than the title track had been released as a single. STAND BY YOUR MAN has become an icon for Tammy Wynette as well as the musical period she rose from. It is a must for all country music lovers and for those, too, who want to experience a voice once called 'the Edit Piaf of Country Music'.
It was a cold, dreary September night (somewhere between Sudbury and Thunder Bay, Ontario) and the rain was pouring down in sheets on a rocky, deserted part of the Trans Canada highway. My friend, Barry, and I, were hitchhiking across Canada, two long-haired rock musicians determined to eventually head to California, and start something akin to a progressive heavy-metal band, several years ago.
Shivering in the brutal cold against the elements in the middle of nowhere, we were surprised when a tractor-trailer pulled over, up ahead, after it had passed us. We gladly ran the several hundred yards (it had taken to stop) hoping it wouldn't suddenly take off, once we were near enough- a common cruel trick people liked to play on us "hippie" types, back then.
But luckily, it was still there, and we climbed high up into the darkened cab. The driver was absolutely silent, and only nodded when we said "thank you" over and over. Looking straight ahead into the darkness, he carefully maneuvered the big rig out, and back onto the highway. In the dark cab, with the rain pounding against the windshield, it seemed like an eerie scene straight out of an old "Twilight Zone" episode.
After a minute or two, he pushed an 8-track cassette into his player, and this was the album he played. Generally, I wasn't, (and still am not) a huge fan of country music, but rather than finding myself silently annoyed, there was something beautiful about the title track, especially the killer chorus. The rest of the album wasn't bad either, and the truck driver let it play a few times during our long, and "speechless" journey. I eventually commented on how much I liked it, but I'm not even sure if he so much as nodded, in response. I'm sure he just thought I was pretending to be nice, in gratitude. But I was being sincere.
I still prefer listening to various types of progressive rock, some metal, jazz fusion, and a bit of country-swing like Bob Wills, Hank Williams and a few others, but this is one of the gems, having come out just before country turned into country-rock/pop. (No thanks!)
If you prefer rich, smooth country, heavy on the ballads and thick with Steele guitar, tremolo guitar, and superb heartfelt vocals with plenty of twang, then this has got to be one of Tammy's finest.
Being a country d.j./songwriter ... I had the pleasure of calling Tammy Wynette a true friend. I was ... and still am ... a devoted fan of the lady. Just when you believe you have heard her at her best --- along comes this album with a new digital strength --- and you realize Tammy will be with us forever, sounding better with every re-release. Plus: This CD has treasured Bonus Tracks! Every little lady with dreams of becoming a singing 'star' should listen to this CD. It's an instrument in learning and a pleasure to study.
I bought this CD because I liked Tammy's version of Stand By Your Man. I did not enjoy listening to the rest of the CD because I am not a big fan of Tammy but if you are, you will probably like the CD.
